Joe Costello TD
Dublin : Dublin Central
01 6183896
joe.costello@oireachtas.ie
@JoeCostelloTD
joecostellotd
Joe Costello is a hard-working and committed public representative.
During his term as Minister for Trade and Development, Joe worked to develop markets abroad for Irish produced goods and services so that extra jobs are created at home. Secondly, he managed the Government’s program of assistance for developing countries, Irish Aid. Ireland currently has a proud record in supporting developing countries, and our aid philosophy is rooted in our foreign policy, in particular, its objectives of peace and justice. He was responsible for our development cooperation policy and programme, which reflect Ireland’s longstanding commitment to human rights and fairness in international relations.
Joe has made a significant contribution to national politics. He works closely with Joan Burton and other Labour colleagues seeking a better future for Ireland. Before becoming a Minister, he was Chairperson of the European Union Affairs Committee. He has also served as spokesperson on Justice, Education, Defence, European Affairs, Human Rights, and Transport. He has developed a range of policy documents in all of these areas on behalf of the Party.
Over the years, Joe has worked with residents and community groups on a range of issues including community development, planning, housing, transport, sporting and cultural matters.
Health and Education are of major concern to Joe. He has maintained a vigil at the Mater Hospital between 1pm and 2pm every Saturday for the last seven years to highlight the appalling conditions which the sick and the elderly have to endure in the Accident and Emergency units of our hospitals.
As Chairman of the Supply Control Committee of the North Inner City Drugs Task Force, Joe vigorously opposed the drug barons who brought such misery to communities in the North Inner City. In recent years he was to the fore of the successful campaign to close the Head Shops in Dublin.
Joe is always available to listen to people from East Wall to the Navan Road and does his best to deal with the queries and issues as they arise. He lives in Aughrim Street in the heart of the constituency of Dublin Central with his wife Emer, who is an MEP and who was Lord Mayor of Dublin for 2009/10.
Working Together - an update on Joe Costelloe's programme of work
